Apparatus, systems and kits for loosening and retorquing hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus, systems, and kits of parts for knock-down heavy-duty transportable torque tool assemblies capable of onsite field-servicing of high-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders used in heavy-duty construction equipment and industrial machinery. The embodiments disclosed herein pertain to assemblies comprising modular knock-down components that may be mounted onto the bed of a field service truck and configured as needed to provide loosening and retorquing of piston-retaining nuts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/505,933, filed Oct. 20, 2021, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus, systems, and kitsof parts thereof for loosening and retorquing high-pressure hydrauliccylinder piston-retaining nuts. In particular, the present disclosurerelates to apparatus comprising assemblies of a torque head component, ahydraulic cylinder for operating the torque wrench head, a supportcradle component, and an adjustable, transportable bench for demountableengagement thereinto of high-pressure hydraulic cylinders to beserviced.

BACKGROUND

High-pressure hydraulic cylinders are key components of many types ofheavy-duty equipment and machinery used in a variety of industries,including construction, engineering, oil and gas extraction andconveyance, mining, and agriculture. In most cases, high-pressurehydraulic cylinders can be difficult to service and reseal on-sitebecause the hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts must be torqued toabout 15,000 pound-foot (lb/ft). Such torqueing requirements forresealing high-pressure hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts are toohigh for typical conventional tools to loosen or to retorque.

Consequently, when repairs are needed, for example when hydraulic fluidbegins leaking through a hydraulic cylinder's piston seals and/or thepiston rod seals, the high-pressure hydraulic cylinder typically must beremoved from the equipment or machinery, and shipped to aheavy-equipment service shop wherein a stationary heavy-duty hydrauliccylinder service bench is available to loosen and retorque the nutsecuring the rod-end cap to the hydraulic-cylinder barrel or body.However, this is costly and time consuming as it causes significantonsite down time for the machine or equipment, particularly when themachine or equipment are in use in remote locations where hydrauliccylinder service shops are not available or accessible.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus, systems, and kitsof parts for knock-down heavy-duty transportable torque tools capable ofonsite field-servicing of high-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylindersused in heavy-duty construction equipment and industrial machinery. Theembodiments disclosed herein pertain to assemblies comprising modularknock-down torque tool components that may be mounted onto the bed of afield service truck and configured as needed to provide loosening andretorquing of piston-retaining nuts.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an apparatuscomprising a torque head assembly, a hydraulic cylinder and controls tooperate the torque tool (also referred to herein as a “torque toolhydraulic cylinder”), and a hydraulic cylinder service bench comprisinga slide bed assembly and hydraulic cylinder support assembly, that aredemountably engageable with a work bed and a trailer hitch receiver of afield service vehicle. It is to be noted that the hydraulic cylindersupport assembly may be referred to as a support cradle assembly. Thetorque tool hydraulic cylinder may be operatively coupleable at one endto a bracket on a foot pad provided therefor on the hydraulic cylindersupport assembly, and at the other end to the torque head assembly. Theslide bed assembly may be configured to demountably engage therein oneend of a high-pressure hydraulic cylinder requiring service, and thehydraulic cylinder support assembly may be configured to support thereonthe other end of the high-pressure hydraulic cylinder during loosening,tightening, and retorquing of one of its piston-retaining nuts.

In an embodiment, the torque head assembly comprises a torque plateprovided with an frustoconical-ovoid orifice therethrough wherein (i)the narrow end, also referred to as the heel, of the frustoconical-ovoidorifice is provided with a flat surface, (ii) the outward-tapering sidesof the frustoconical-ovoid orifice are flat side walls extending upwardat about 120° to the heel of the frustoconical-ovoid orifice, and (iii)the wide end of the frustoconical-ovoid orifice has a round shape andconjoins the upward-extending side walls. The center of the upper end ofthe frustoconical-ovoid orifice may be provided with reinforcing cuffhaving a threaded bore therethrough for threadably engaging anddisengaging a selected heavy-duty bolt with matching male threads.

In use, one end of the hydraulic cylinder being serviced will bedemountably engaged with a slide bed yoke provided therefore on theslide bed assembly component, while the opposite end of the hydrauliccylinder being serviced will be inserted through the frustoconical-ovoidaperture of the torque platesuch that two sides of hexagonalpiston-retaining will be in contact with the two upward andoutward-tapering side-wall surfaces. A bolt may then be threadablyengaged through the cuff on the wide end of the aperture until the boltis compressingly engaged with the side of the nut opposite to the flatsurface at the heel of the frustoconical-ovoid aperture. The torque toolhydraulic cylinder may then be operated to provide a sufficienthydraulic pressure to “break” and loosen the end cap nut secured withinthe frustoconical-ovoid aperture of the torque tool thus facilitatingremoval of the end cap nut and dismantling of the hydraulic cylinder forservice. After new seals and other necessary components are installed,the serviced hydraulic cylinder may then be reassembled after which, thepiston-retaining nut may be tightened and retorqued by operating thetorque tool hydraulic cylinder to retorque the end cap nut. Thefrustoconical-ovoid aperture provided in the heavy-duty plate of thetorque tool enables releasably securing therein different sizes ofhydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts. Therefore, in someembodiments, the present disclosure relates to a universal torque headfor loosening and tightening a wide variety of different sizes ofhydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a torque toolconfigured for applying torque at selected pressures up to 15,000pound-foot (lb/ft).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system forloosening and tightening a hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nutswherein the system comprises the torque tool disclosed herein incooperation with a hydraulic oil tank, a hydraulic oil pump, a batteryfor powering the oil pump, and one or more controls for operating thesystem to loosen and retorque hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts.

In an embodiment, systems of the present disclosure may apply torque ata pressure up to 15,000 pound-foot (lb/ft).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to use of theapparatus and systems disclosed herein to service high-pressurehydraulic cylinders in onsite work locations wherein heavy-dutyequipment and/or machinery are in use.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to kits of parts fortransportable onsite hydraulic cylinder service apparatus for loosening,tightening, and retorquing hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts. Thekits comprise a torque head assembly, a hydraulic cylinder with apressure gauge and controls to operate the torque tool, and a hydrauliccylinder service bench comprising a slide bed assembly and hydrauliccylinder support assembly that are demountably engageable with awork-surface bed and a trailer hitch receiver of a field servicevehicle. The torque tool hydraulic cylinder may be operativelycoupleable at one end to a bracket on a foot pad provided therefor onthe hydraulic cylinder support assembly, and at the other end to thetorque tool. The slide bed assembly may be configured to demountableengage therein one end of a high-pressure hydraulic cylinder requiringservice, and the hydraulic cylinder support assembly may be configuredto support thereon the other end of the high-pressure hydraulic cylinderduring loosening, tightening, and retorquing of one of itspiston-retaining nuts, a pressure gauge for engagement and communicationwith the hydraulic cylinder, and instructions for assembling theapparatus.

In an embodiment, the kits disclosed herein may additionally comprise ahydraulic oil tank, a hydraulic oil pump, a battery for powering thehydraulic oil pump, and one or more controls for operating the hydrauliccylinder to loosen, tighten, and retorque hydraulic cylinderpiston-retaining nuts.

Other embodiments and embodiments of the present disclosure are evidentin view of the detailed description provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description in which reference is made to the appendeddrawings. The appended drawings illustrate one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure by way of example only and are not to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an perspective view of a knock-down universal torque toolassembly configured for servicing hydraulic cylinders on job sites,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a front-end view of the apparatus a shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an example of a torque head assemblycomprising a torque plate mounted between two torque force plates,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a torque plate on top of one torque forceplate;

FIG. 6 shows a square-nut adaptor component for the torque head assemblywherein

FIG. 6A shows the square-nut adaptor component adjacent to the torquehead assembly, FIG. 6B shows the square-nut adaptor component installedinto the torque head assembly, and FIG. 6C shows a square nut engaged bythe torque head assembly;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a hydraulic cylinder supportassembly, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a universal torque plate assembly shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 engaged with the hydraulic cylinder support assemblyshown in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slide bed assembly,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows an end view of the slide bed assembly shown in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the knock-down universal torque toolassembly configured for servicing hydraulic cylinders illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 8 , mounted onto the bed of a field service truck;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the knock-down universal torque toolassembly mounted to the field service truck shown in FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a front end-view of a knock-down universal torque toolassembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in aposition to break and loosen an piston-retaining nut on a hydrauliccylinder requiring service wherein FIG. 13A shows the torque headhydraulic cylinder of the apparatus in a retracted state and FIG. 13Bshows the torque head hydraulic cylinder of the apparatus in an extendedstate; and

FIG. 14 shows a front end-view of a knock-down universal torque toolassembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in aposition to tighten a nut on a hydraulic cylinder requiring servicewherein FIG. 14A shows the hydraulic cylinder of the apparatus in aretracted state and FIG. 14B shows the hydraulic cylinder of theapparatus in an extended state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereingenerally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

The present disclosure relates to portable apparatus and systems forloosening and retorquing an piston-retaining nut of a hydraulic cylinderrequiring service. As used herein, the terms “loosening” and“retorquing” with respect to a hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nutrefer to a torque being applied under high pressure in an appropriatedirection to loosen or tighten the hydraulic cylinder piston-retainingnut.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a transportable,knock-down torque tool for loosening and retorquing an piston-retainingnut of a high-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylinder during on-siteservice. The transportable, knock-down torque tool comprises a torquehead assembly, a torque head hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic cylindersupport assembly, and a slide bed assembly.

In an embodiment, a torque head assembly includes a torque plate thatmay be demountable disposed between a pair of torque force plates. Thetorque plate has a frustoconical-ovoid aperture at one end and a firstplurality of bores therethrough at the other end. Each of the pair oftorque force plates has two matching pluralities of bores therethroughwherein the first plurality of bores is aligned with the first pluralityof bores provided in the torque plate and the second plurality of boresis communicable with a clevis pin or a king pin. The torque headassembly may be assembled by placing the torque plate between the twotorque force plates so that the first pluralities of bores are alignedas will be the second pluralities of bores, then threadably engaging twoor more sets of nuts and bolts through the first pluralities of bores.

In an embodiment, the rod end of the torque head hydraulic cylinder isdemountably engageable with the torque head assembly by inserting andaligning its rod eye between a selected plurality of second bores in thepair of torque force plates and then inserting a clevis pintherethrough.

In an embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder support assembly includes acradle support leg with an extendable, retractable hydraulic cylindersupport cradle, a horizontal extension brace with one end configured fordemountable engagement with the cradle support leg and its other endconfigured for demountable engagement with the slide deck assembly, anda pair of stabilizing legs that are configured for demountableengagement with the horizontal extension brace. According to an aspect,the cradle support leg has a foot pad with a yoke provided thereon fordemountable engagement with a barrel lug at the cylinder end of a torquehead hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment, the slide bed assembly includes an elongate slide beamto which may be engaged a slide bed yoke, and a plurality of lateralsupport beams for demountable engagement with the slide beam and with aworking surface of a service vehicle. One end of the elongate slide beamis configured for demountable engagement with an end of horizontalextension brace from the hydraulic cylinder support assembly. Accordingto one aspect, the slide bed assembly may include two lateral supportbeams. According to another aspect, the slide bed assembly may includethree lateral support beams. According to another aspect, the slide bedassembly may include four lateral support beams. According to an aspect,the working surface of a service vehicle may be a flat bed. According toanother aspect, the working surface of a service vehicle may be a floorof a cargo van body mounted

FIGS. 1 to 3 show views of a knock-down torque tool apparatus and systemfor on-site servicing of high-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylindersaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein FIG. 1is an perspective view of the knock-down torque tool assembly, FIG. 2shows a side view of the knock-down torque tool apparatus and system,and FIG. 3 is a front-end view of the knock-down torque tool apparatusand system.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1 , the knock-down torque tool10 for comprises a torque head assembly 20, a torque head hydrauliccylinder 35, a hydraulic cylinder support assembly 40, and a slide bedassembly 60. FIG. 1 also illustrates a system for on-site servicing ofhigh-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders according to someembodiments of the present disclosure wherein the system comprises theapparatus 10, a hydraulic power unit 80, and a battery 82 for poweringthe hydraulic power unit 80.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 show an example embodiment of the torque head assembly 20,according to the present disclosure. The torque head assembly 20comprises a torque plate 22 demountably disposed between two torqueforce plates 25 by bolts 27 threadably engaged with nuts (not shown). Insome embodiments, the torque head assembly 20 have an oblong shape. Insome embodiments, the torque plate 22 and torque force plates 24 may bemade of a metal or a metallic alloy. In a particular embodiment, thetorque plate 22 and torque force plates 24 are made of steel.

The torque plate 22 is provided with frustoconical-ovoid-shaped aperture22 a therethrough for receiving and engaging therein a hexagonalpiston-retaining nut of a hydraulic cylinder in need of repair. Thefrustoconical-ovoid-shaped aperture 22 a may be defined by a heel 22 b,a pair of upward and outward extending jaws 22 c extending outward fromthe heel 22 b at an angle of 120°, and a round rib 22 d conjoining thepair of upward and outward extending jaws 22 c (FIGS. 3, 4, 5 ). Thetorque plate 22 may comprise a torque plate aperture reinforcing cuff 23centered about the torque plate aperture rib 22 d at the end oppositethe torque plate aperture heel 22 b. The torque plate aperturereinforcing cuff 23 comprises a threaded bore 23 a for threadablyengaging a bolt 24 therethrough. The torque plate 22 is provided with afirst plurality of bores 26 for receiving bolts 27 therethrough that arethreadably engaged with nuts (not shown).

The two torque force plates 25 are provided with a first plurality ofbores 26 that are aligned with the plurality of bores 26 providedtherethrough the torque plate 22, and a second plurality of bores 28.When some or all of the plurality of torque plate bores 26 and the firstplurality of force plate bores 26 are aligned, the torque plate 22 maybe secured between two torque force plates 25 by threadable engagementof bolts 27 with nuts (not shown. The skilled person will appreciatethat bolts 27 may be replaced by other suitable means for securingtogether the torque plate 22 to the two torque force plates 25, such asrivets.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of torque force plate bores 26each have a diameter of between about 1 inch and about 2 inches (about2.5 cm and about 50.8 cm). In an aspect, the first plurality of forceplate bores 28 may have a diameter of about 1 inch, about 1.125 inches,about 1.25 inches, about 1.375 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.625inches, about 1.75 inches, about 1.875 inches, or about 2 inches (about2.5 cm, about 2.9 cm, about 3.2 cm, about 3.5 cm, about 3.8 cm, about4.1 cm, about 4.4 cm, about 4.8 cm, about 5.1 cm). In a particularembodiment, the first plurality of force plate bores 28 have a diameterof 1.125 inches. Each bore 28 may be spaced by a distance of betweenabout 1 inch and about 4 inches. In an embodiment, the distance betweeneach bore 28 may be about 1 inch, about 1.5 inches, about 2 inches,about 2.5 inches, about 3 inches, about 3.5 inches, or about 4 inches.In a particular embodiment, the distance between each bores is about 3inches. In some embodiments, the configuration of the first plurality offorce plate bores 28 may achieve a 12 inch moment arm on a 3.5 inchhydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nut.

The second plurality of force plate bores 28 provided therethrough thetwo torque force plates 25 are configured to receive a clevis pin 29therethrough for demountable engagement with the rod eye of the rodcomponent of a torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 to the two force plates25. Other securing members, such as kingpin, may be used in place ofclevis pins.

The shape of the torque plate frustoconical-ovoid-shaped aperture 22 acombined with the bolt 24 enables the torque plate assembly to besecurely engaged with three sides of hydraulic cylinder hexagonalpiston-retaining nuts from a wide range of widths, for example, about3.5 inches to about 7 inches (about 8.9 cm to about 17.8 cm).

Another embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a two-piecesquare-nut adapter component for demountable engagement with the torqueplate frustoconical-ovoid-shaped aperture 22 a and bolt 24 is shown inFIG. 6 wherein the first component is a square-nut adapter fixed jaw 30having two jaw faces at 90°. The square-nut adapter fixed jaw 30 isdemountable into the torque plate aperture heel 22 b of the torque plate22 against the pair of outward extending torque plate aperture jaws 22 cby pins 32 provided on square-nut adapter mounting plates 31. The pins32 may be inserted into bores 22 e provided therefor in the torque plate22 (FIGS. 6A, 6B). The second component is a square-nut adapter movablejaw 33 having two jaw faces at 90° and configured to engage andcooperate with the bolt 24 to extend the configured to extend toward andretract from the square-nut adapter fixed jaw 30 to thereby securelyengage and release hydraulic cylinder square piston-retaining nuts (FIG.6C).

In some embodiments, the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 may comprisea piston having a diameter of between about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) andabout 5 inches (12.7 cm). In some embodiments of the present disclosure,the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 may comprise a piston having adiameter of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), 2 inches (5.1 cm), 2.5 inches (6.4 cm),3 inches (7.6 cm), 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), 4 inches (10.2 cm), 4.5 inches(11.4 cm), or 5 inches (12.7 cm). In a particular embodiment, the torquehead hydraulic cylinder 35 comprises a piston having a diameter of 3inches (7.6 cm). In some embodiments, the torque head hydraulic cylinder35 comprises a rod of a diameter of between 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) and 1.5inches (3.8 cm). In an embodiment, the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35comprises a rod of a diameter of 0.75 inches (1.9 cm), 1.0625 inches(2.7 cm), 1.25 inches (3.2 cm), and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). In a particularembodiment, the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 comprises a rod of adiameter of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). In another particular embodiment, thehydraulic cylinder comprises a piston having a diameter of 3 inches (7.6cm) and a rod having a diameter of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). In yet anotherparticular embodiment, the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 comprises apiston having a diameter of 3 inches (7.6 cm), a rod having a diameterof 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), and a torque arm of a length of 12 inches (30.5cm).

In some embodiments, the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 comprises apressure gauge 36. The pressure gauge 36 can be any gauge suitable formonitoring the pressure being used to actuate the torque head hydrauliccylinder 35. In some embodiments, the hydraulic power unit 80 maycomprise a pressure gauge for monitoring the pressure being used toactuation the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35.

FIGS. 7, 8 show an example of a hydraulic cylinder support assembly 40according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The hydrauliccylinder support assembly 40 comprises a cradle support leg 45 having anupwardly extendible retractable post 50 disposed therein. The upward endof the extendible retractable post 50 is provided with a hydrauliccylinder support cradle 51 engaged thereto. According to an aspect, thesupport cradle 51 may be a V-shaped support cradle. The bottom end ofthe cradle support leg 45 is integrally engaged with a foot pad 46 and apair of stabilizing gussets 47. A foot pad bracket 48 engaged with thefoot pad 46 and having a bore therethrough is provided for demountableengagement with the barrel lug at the cylinder end of torque headhydraulic cylinder 35. A tongue insert 49 for engaging a trailer hitchreceiver mounted onto a service vehicle (see FIGS. 11, 12 ), extendslaterally from a side wall of the cradle support leg 45. A laterallyextending yoke 43 is integrally engaged with the upper end of the cradlesupport leg 45, and is provided for demountable engagement with one endof a horizontal extension brace 42. The opposite male end 44 of thehorizontal extension brace 42 is provided with a bore 44 a therethroughto facilitate demountable engagement of the hydraulic cylinder supportassembly 40 with the slide deck assembly 60 (see FIGS. 11, 12 ). Thehydraulic cylinder support assembly 40 additionally comprises adouble-sided yoke 54 configured for sliding engagement with thehorizontal extension brace 42 and for demountable engagement with a pairof stabilizing legs 56 (FIGS. 7, 8 ). Each end of each of the pair ofstabilizing legs is provided with matching bores there through to enableinterchangeable demountable coupling of one end of a stabilizing leg 56with the double-sided yoke 54 and the other end with a foot pad yoke 58.It is to be noted that the cradle support leg 45, the horizontalextension brace 42, and the stabilizing legs 56 illustrated in FIGS. 7,8 are fabricated from square tubular steel, other suitable types oftubular steel may be used for these components. For example, thesecomponents may be fabricated with rectangular tubular steel oralternatively, with cylindrical tubular steel. The cradle support leg 45may have a height of between about 24 inches (61 cm) and about 36 inches(91 cm). In some embodiments the cradle support leg 45 may be of aheight of about 28 inches (71 cm), about 29 inches (74 cm), about 30inches (76 cm), about 31 inches (79 cm), about 32 inches (81 cm), about33 inches (84 cm), or about 34 inches (86 cm).

FIGS. 9, 10 show a perspective view and an end view, respectively, of anexample of a slide bed assembly 60 according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The slide bed assembly 60 comprises a slide deck 62provided with a slide bed yoke 64 engaged thereto, and a plurality ofslide deck lateral support beams 72 that are demountable engageable withthe slide deck 62 and a work bed of a service vehicle.

The slide deck 62 comprises a horizontal metal beam 62 a having twodownward-extending metal support legs 62 b having matching equidistantlyspaced bores 62 c therealong. In some embodiments, the slide deck beam62 a may have a length selected from about 48 inches (122 cm) to about72 inches (183 cm). In some embodiments, the slide deck beam 62 a mayhave a length of 48 inches (122 cm), 54 inches (137 cm), 60 inches (152cm), 66 inches (168 cm), 72 inches (183 cm), and therebetween.

In some embodiments, the width of the slide deck beam 62 a may beselected from about 6 inches (15 cm) to about 12 inches (30 cm). In someembodiments, the width of the slide deck beam 62 a may be about 6 inches(15 cm), 7 inches (18 cm), 8 inches (20 cm), 9 inches (23 cm), 10 inches(25 cm), 11 inches (28 cm), 12 inches (76 cm), and therebetween.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the slide deck beam 62 a may befrom about 0.375 inch (1 cm) to about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). In someembodiments, the thickness of the slide deck beam 62 a may be about0.375 inch (1 cm), 0.5 inch (1.3 cm), 0.75 inch (1.7 cm), 1 inch (2.5cm), 1.5 inch (10.2 cm), and therebetween.

In some embodiments, the height of the downward-extending slide decksupport legs 62 b may be from about 2 inches (5.1 cm) to about 4 inches(10.6 cm), and therebetween. In some embodiments, the equidistantlyspaced bores 62 c have a diameter from about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) to about1 inch (2.5 cm) and therebetween. In some embodiments, the equidistantlyspaced bores 62 c are spaced longitudinally along the slide deck supportlegs 62 b at a distance between centers of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) toabout 3 inches (7.6 cm) and therebetween. In a particular embodiment,the equidistantly spaced bores 62 c are spaced longitudinally along theslide deck support legs 62 b at a distance between centers of 2 inches(5.1 cm).

It is to be noted that the downward-extending slide deck support legs 62b should be spaced-apart a suitable distance so that during assembly ofthe torque tool 10 on a work surface of a service vehicle at a servicesite, the male insert end 44 of the horizontal extension brace 42 of thehydraulic cylinder support assembly will sliding engage the end of theslide deck 62 and be secured in place by a bolt inserted through thematching bores 62 c at the ends of the downward-extending support legs62 b and an aperture 44 a provided therefor through the male insert end44 of the horizontal extension brace 42.

The slide deck 62 is demountably engageable with a plurality of lateralsupport beams 72, which in turn, are demountably engageable with aworking bed 100 of a field service vehicle (FIGS. 11, 12 ).

The lateral support pates 72 may be solid bars or hollow beams. In someembodiments, the slide deck 62 may be demountable engaged to the lateralsupport beams 72 by brackets 72 b welded to the lateral support beams.In these embodiments, the slide deck 62 may be secured to the brackets72 b with hex bolts 72 c and nuts (not shown). In some embodiments, thebrackets 72 b may be welded to the slide deck support legs 62 b.

In some embodiments, the lateral support beams 72 may be demountablyengaged with the working bed surface of a service vehicle by insertingpins 72 d through mounting brackets 72 a provided therefor on thelateral support beam 72, and receiving brackets 72 e provided thereforon the working bed surface 100 of a field service truck (FIGS. 11, 12 ).The skilled person will appreciate that the lateral support beams 72 maybe demountably engaged with the work surface of a service vehicle byother suitable means such as U-clamps, bolted-down clips, and the like.

The slide bed yoke 64 engaged with the slide deck 62 may be providedwith a first pair of bores 64 a to slidingly receive a barrel lug at thecylinder end of hydraulic cylinder to be serviced wherein the barrel lughas a first diameter, a second pair of bores 64 b to slidingly receive abarrel lug at the cylinder end of hydraulic cylinder to be servicedwherein the barrel lug has a second diameter, and a third pair of bores64 c to slidingly receive a barrel lug at the cylinder end of hydrauliccylinder to be serviced wherein the barrel lug has a third diameter(FIGS. 9, 11, 12 ). The slide bed yoke 64 may further comprise a D-ring68 (FIGS. 9, 10 ) for lowering and raising the slide deck assembly 60to/from the work bed of a service truck, or alternatively, lowering andraising the slide deck 62 and slide deck yoke 64 to/from the lateralsupport beams 72 that may have been previously demountably engaged withthe work bed of a service truck.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system forservicing a high-pressure heavy-duty hydraulic cylinder on a job site,wherein the system comprises an assembled knock-down torque tool 10including a torque head assembly 20, a torque head hydraulic cylinder 35with a pressure gauge 36, a hydraulic cylinder support assembly 40, anda slide bed assembly in communication with a hydraulic power unit 80 anda battery 82 operatively coupled to the torque head hydraulic cylinder35 by inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 36, 36, respectively. The battery82 for powering hydraulic power unit 80 may be any suitable battery,such as for example, an 18 VDC lithium-ion battery or a 12V automobilebattery.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the system may beconfigured to apply a torque force of between 0 foot pounds and 15,000foot pounds to a hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nut.

FIG. 13 shows a front end view of knock-down torque tool 10 assembled asillustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 , for on-site servicing of hydrauliccylinder 110. FIG. 13A shows the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35coupled to the two torque force plates 25 by clevis pin 29. The end cap115 of the hydraulic cylinder 110 requiring service is shown tightlyengaged to the torque plate 22 by bolt 24. The hydraulic power unit 80is then operated to pressurize the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 toprovide a sufficient pressure to the torque head assembly 20 to therebybreak, loosen, and rotate the piston-retaining nut 115 to the positionshown in FIG. 13B. Bolt 29 may then be threadably disengaged from thepiston-retaining nut 115, after which the torque head assembly 20 may beremoved from hydraulic cylinder 110 being serviced. The piston-retainingnut 115 may then be removed from hydraulic cylinder 110 to enablerepairs and replacement of component parts.

FIG. 14 shows the knock-down torque tool 10 shown in FIG. 13 , in aposition for retorquing hydraulic cylinder nut 115 after the hydrauliccylinder 110 has been serviced and reassembled. After thepiston-retaining nut 115 has been hand-tightened to the hydrauliccylinder 110, the torque tool assembly is placed around thepiston-retaining nut 115 after which, bolt 24 is threadably engaged withthe torque plate 22 to tightly secure the piston-retaining nut 115between the bolt 24 and torque plate 22. Then, hydraulic power unit 80is then operated to pressurize the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35 toprovide a sufficient pressure to the torque head assembly 20 to therebyretorque the piston-retaining nut 115. Those skilled in this art willknow that suitable torque pressure may be selected from a range of about10,000 lb/ft to about 15,000 lb/ft.

While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13, 13 show the torque headhydraulic cylinder 35 and the torque head assembly 20 in differentorientations with respect to the cradle support leg 45, the skilledperson will appreciate that the loosening and/or tightening may beachieved by a configuration where the torque head hydraulic cylinder 35is operatively connected to the two torque force plates 25 in anextended state and the tightening and/or loosening occurring as thetorque head hydraulic cylinder 35 is moved to a retracted state. Such anembodiment may occur, for example, when a lower torque is required totighten or loosen the hydraulic cylinder nut.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus and systemsdisclosed herein may be configured to apply the torque values listed inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Torque values achievable by a given pressure using a hydrauliccylinder with a 3″ diameter piston and a 1.5″ diameter rod. TorquePressure (lbft) (PSI) 500 95 1000 189 1500 283 2000 377 2500 472 3000566 3500 661 4000 755 4500 850 5000 944 5500 1038 6000 1132 6500 12267000 1321 7500 1415 8000 1509 8500 1603 9000 1698 9500 1792 10000 188710500 1981 11000 2075 11500 2170 12000 2264 12500 2358 13000 2453 135002547 14000 2642 14500 2736 15000 2830

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a kit of partsfor a knock-down torque tool comprising components to configure a torquehead assembly, a torque head hydraulic cylinder, components to configurea hydraulic cylinder support assembly, components to configure a slidebed assembly, and assembly instructions. According to an embodiment, thecomponents for a torque head assembly may include a torque plate, a pairof torque force plates, and a plurality of bolts and nuts to demountablyengage the torque plate between the torque force plates.

According to an embodiment, the kit may additionally include a pressuregauge for the torque plate hydraulic cylinder.

According to an embodiment, the components for the hydraulic cylindersupport assembly may include:

a tubular cradle support leg having (i) a foot pad and bracing gussetswelded to its bottom end and a bracket having a bore for receivingtherethrough a clevis welded to the foot plate, (ii) having a yokewelded to its top end, and (iii) a tongue insert for demountableengagement with a trailer hitch receiver, wherein the tongue insert isengaged with a side wall of the cradle support leg and extends laterallytherefrom,

a hydraulic cylinder support cradle engaged with an end of anextendible/retractable poste configured for sliding engagement with andwithin in the cradle support leg,

a horizontal extension brace having one end configured for engagementwith the yoke at the top of the cradle support leg, and the other endhaving a male insert end,

a double-sided yoke configured for sliding engagement with thehorizontal extension brace,

a pair of stabilizing leg foot pad yokes,

a pair of stabilizing legs having ends configured to demountable engagethe double-sided yoke and the stabilizing leg foot pad yokes, and

a plurality of clevis pins for cooperating with the yoke at the top endof the cradle support leg, the horizontal extension brace, thedouble-sided yoke, the pair of stabilizing leg foot pad yokes, and thepair of stabilizing legs.

According to an embodiment, the components of a slide bed assembly mayinclude:

a slide deck beam comprising an elongate beam having a pair ofspaced-apart downward-extending support legs, wherein the support legshave matching equid-stantly spaced-apart bores extending therealong,

a slide deck yoke for demountable engagement with the slide deck beam,the slide deck yoke provided with (i) a plurality of matching boreswherein each plurality of matching bores has a different diameter forreceiving therethrough clevis pins having that diameter, and (ii) aD-ring,

a plurality of lateral support beams for demountable engagement with thedownward-extending support legs of the slide deck beam, wherein thelateral support beams are configured for demountable engagement with awork bed of a service truck,

a plurality of bolts and nuts for demountable engagement of (i) theslide deck yoke with the slide deck beam and (ii) the lateral supportbeams with the down-ward extending support legs of the slide deck beam,

In some embodiments, the kit may comprise one or more of a hydraulic oilpump and a hydraulic pump battery. In some embodiments, the kit mayadditionally comprise a hydraulic oil tank. In some embodiments, the kitmay comprise an inlet hydraulic hose and an outlet hydraulic hose. Insome embodiments, the kit may comprise one or more operating controlssuch as those described elsewhere herein.

Until needed for use, the torque head assembly, torque head hydrauliccylinder, hydraulic cylinder support assembly, and slide bed assemblymaking up the transportable, knock-down torque tool disclosed herein,can be knocked down (that is, separated) into their component parts forefficient compact storage. For example, lateral support beams may bedisengaged from the slide deck assembly may be demounted from the slidedeck and bundled together if so desired. The hydraulic cylinder supportassembly may be knocked down by separating the horizontal extensionbrace from the cradle support leg and the pair of stabilizing legs afterwhich, the separated components of the hydraulic cylinder supportassembly may be bundled together if so desired.

When needed to service one or more malfunctioning hydraulic cylinders onequipment or machinery located at a work site, the slide bed assemblymay be mounted onto a work surface of a service vehicle by demountablyengaging the slide deck to two or more lateral support beams, and thendemountably engaging the two or more lateral support beams with the worksurface. The remaining component parts (torque head assembly, torquehead hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder support assembly) may beloaded into or onto the service vehicle and transported to the worksite, after which the torque tool can be fully assembled. For example,one end of the horizontal extension brace of the hydraulic cylindersupport assembly may be demountably engaged with the end of the slidedeck and the other end demountably engaged with the cradle support leg.The cradle support leg may be demountably engaged with the receiver of atrailer hitch engaged with the service truck. Then, first ends of thepair of stabilizing legs may be demountably engaged with the horizontalextension brace and the opposite ends demountably engaged with aselected support surface on the service vehicle. Then, the barrel lug atthe cylinder end of torque head hydraulic cylinder may be demountablyengaged with the yoke provided therefor on the cradle support leg andthe rod end of the torque head hydraulic cylinder is demountably engagedwith the torque head assembly after which, the assembled torque tool isready for use to loosen piston-retaining nuts on hydraulic cylindersrequiring service. After the service work is complete, the torque toolmay be knocked down and transported to the service provider's facilitiesfor storage until needed again.

As used herein, the term “on-site” refers to locations at which thehydraulic cylinder in need of service is being used. Non-limitingexamples of locations include construction sites, oil and gas productionsites, mining sites, forestry operations sites, agricultural sites, andthe like. The locations may be in remote areas or not.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items(e.g. one or the other, or both), as well as the lack of combinationswhen interrupted in the alternative (or).

For brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosed herein.However, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any upperlimit to recite a range not explicitly recited herein. Additionally,ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limitto recite a range not explicitly recited. In the same way, ranges fromany upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite arange not explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical rangewith a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and anyincluded range falling within the range are specifically disclosed.

In the present disclosure, all terms referred to in singular form aremeant to encompass plural forms of the same unless context clearlydictates otherwise. Likewise, all terms referred to in plural form aremeant to encompass singular forms of the same unless context dictatesotherwise.

As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a measurable value,refers to an approximately +/−10% variation from a given value. It isunderstood that such a variation is always included in any given valueprovided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.

FIGURE NUMBERING KEY

-   10 knock-down torque tool for on-site servicing of hydraulic    cylinders-   20 torque head assembly-   22 torque plate-   22 a torque plate frustoconical-ovoid-shaped aperture-   22 b torque plate aperture heel-   22 c torque plate aperture jaws-   22 d torque plate aperture rib connecting the torque plate jaws-   22 e bores for square-nut adaptor-   23 torque plate aperture reinforcing cuff at center of the aperture    rib-   23 a threaded receptacle through the aperture cuff-   24 bolt-   25 torque force plate-   26 first plurality of bores in the torque plate and torque force    plates for receiving bolts therethrough-   27 bolts for engagement of the torque plate between the torque force    plates-   28 second plurality of force plate bores in the torque force plates    for receiving a clevis pin therethrough-   29 clevis pin-   30 square-nut adapter fixed jaw-   31 mounting plate-   32 pins-   33 square-nut adapter movable jaw-   35 torque head hydraulic cylinder-   36 hydraulic cylinder pressure gauge-   38 inlet hydraulic hose-   39 outlet hydraulic hose-   40 hydraulic cylinder support assembly-   42 horizontal extension brace-   43 yoke for slidable engagement with the adjustable post for the    support cradle-   44 horizontal extension brace male insert end for engagement with    the slide deck assembly-   44 a aperture through the male insert end-   45 Cradle support leg-   46 cradle support foot pad-   47 bracing gussets for the cradle support leg and foot pad-   48 cradle support foot pad bracket for engagement with an end of the    torque head hydraulic cylinder-   49 tongue insert for engaging a trailer hitch receiver-   50 adjustable post for the hydraulic cylinder support cradle-   51 hydraulic cylinder support cradle-   54 double-sided yoke for sliding engagement with the horizontal    extension brace and for engaging a pair of stabilizing legs for the    hydraulic cylinder support assembly-   56 stabilizing leg for the hydraulic cylinder support assembly-   58 stabilizing leg foot pad yoke-   59 hex bolt for securing the stabilizing leg to a truck bed-   60 slide bed assembly for demountable engagement with a hydraulic    cylinder to be serviced-   62 slide deck-   62 a slide deck beam-   62 b slide deck support legs-   62 c equidistantly spaced bores through the slide deck support legs-   64 slide bed yoke for demountable engagement with an end of a    hydraulic cylinder to be serviced-   64 a 1st pair of bores to slidingly receive hydraulic cylinder pivot    pins having 1st diameter-   64 b 2nd pair of bores to slidingly receive a hydraulic cylinder    pivot pins having a 2nd diameter-   64 c 3rd pair of bores to slidingly receive a hydraulic cylinder    pivot pins having a 3rd diameter-   64 d clevis pin-   66 Bolt mounting the slide bed yoke to the slide deck beam-   68 D-ring for lowering and raising the slide bed yoke to/from the    slide deck beam-   72 lateral support beams for the slide deck beam-   72 a mounting brackets to secure the slide deck to the work surface    of a field service truck-   72 b Bracket to secure the slide deck to the lateral support plate-   72 c hex bolts for engaging the slide deck to the lateral support    plate-   72 d pin for securing bracket 72 b to a receiving bracket on the bed    of a service truck-   72 e receiving bracket-   80 hydraulic power unit-   82 battery for the hydraulic power unit-   10 100 working bed of a field service truck-   105 trailer hitch receiver-   110 hydraulic cylinder being serviced-   115 hydraulic cylinder end cap-   120 hydraulic cylinder square nut

What is claimed is:
 1. A transportable system for loosening andretorquing hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nuts on hydrauliccylinders needing service at job sites, the system comprising: atransportable, knock-down, torque tool apparatus including, a first setof components for a torque head assembly, the torque head assemblyconfigurable for demountable engagement (i) with the hydraulic cylinderpiston-retaining nut, and (ii) with a hydraulic cylinder; a second setof components for a slide bed assembly, the slide bed assemblyconfigurable for demountable engagement (iii) with a work surface on aservice vehicle, and (iv) with a barrel lug end of the hydrauliccylinder needing service; and a third set of components for a hydrauliccylinder support assembly, the hydraulic cylinder support assemblyconfigurable for demountable engagement (v) with a receiver of a trailerhitch engaged with the service vehicle, (vi) with the slide bedassembly, and (vii) with the torque tool hydraulic cylinder; a torquetool hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic power unit; a battery for poweringthe hydraulic power unit; a pressure gauge for communication with thetorque tool hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic power unit; and aplurality of high-pressure hydraulic hoses for interconnecting thetorque tool hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic power unit.
 2. Thetransportable system of claim 1, wherein the first set of components forthe torque head assembly includes: two matching torque force plates,each having a matching first plurality of force plate bores at one endand a matching second plurality of force plate bores at the other end; atorque plate having a first end with a first plurality of torque platebores aligned with the first plurality of force plate bores, and asecond end defined by a frustoconical-ovoid-shaped aperture having aflat narrow end, a pair of opposed outward-extending sides, an ovoid ribconjoining the pair of outward-extending sides, and a reinforcing collarat a midpoint of the ovoid rib, the reinforcing collar provided with athreaded bore in communication with the frustoconical-ovoid-shapedaperture; a bolt for threadable engagement with the threaded bore in thereinforcing collar; whereby the torque plate is demountably engageablebetween the two torque force plates by aligning the first plurality ofbores, inserting at least two bolts therethrough and threadably engagingtwo nuts therewith; wherein the torque head assembly is demountableengageable with the torque tool hydraulic cylinder by aligning a rod eyeof the torque tool hydraulic cylinder with a selected pair of secondbores and inserting a clevis pin therethrough; whereby a hexagonalhydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nut of a hydraulic cylinder in needof service, is demountably engageable with the torque head assembly bypositioning two sides of the hexagonal piston-retaining nut between thepair of outward-extending sides of the frustoconical-ovoid-shapedaperture and threadably engaging the bolt with a third side of thehexagonal piston-retaining nut.
 3. The transportable system of claim 2,wherein the first set of components for the torque head assemblyadditionally includes a two-component square-nut adapter for servicinghydraulic cylinders with square piston-retaining nuts, wherein: thefirst component is a square-nut adapter fixed jaw configured fordemountable engagement into the flat narrow end and against the pair ofopposed outward-extending sides of the frustoconical-ovoid-shapedaperture of the torque plate, wherein the fixed jaw has two faces set at90°; and the second component is a square-nut adapter movable jaw withone side configured to receive and cooperate with the end of the bolt,and the opposite side having two faces set at 90°; whereby a squarehydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nut of a hydraulic cylinder in needof service, is demountably engageable with the torque head assembly bypositioning two sides of the square piston-retaining nut against the twofaces of the square-nut adapter fixed jaw and the other two sides of thepiston-retaining nut against two faces of the square-nut adapter movablejaw and threadably engaging the bolt against the other side of themovable jaw.
 4. The transportable system of claim 1, wherein the secondset of components for the slide bed assembly includes: an elongate slidedeck having a slide deck yoke extending upward therefrom and with a pairof elongate slide deck support legs extending downward therefrom, saidpair of support legs having a matched pairs of equidistantly spacedbores therealong, said slide deck yoke configured for demountableengagement with the barrel lug end of the hydraulic cylinder needingservice; and two or more lateral support beams for demountableengagement with the elongate slide deck, and for demountable engagementwith the work surface of the service vehicle.
 5. The transportablesystem of claim 1, wherein the third set of components for the hydrauliccylinder support assembly includes: a cradle support leg having (i) abottom end integrally engaged with a foot pad and a pair of bracinggussets, said foot pad provided with a bracket for demountableengagement therewith the torque tool hydraulic cylinder, (ii) an upperend integrally engaged with a yoke extending laterally therefrom, and(iii) a tongue insert disposed laterally from a side of the cradlesupport leg, said tongue insert configured for demountable engagementwith the receiver of the trailer hitch engaged with the service vehicle;an elongate post having one end configured for retracting into and outof the cradle support leg, and the other end having a hydraulic cylindersupport cradle engaged therewith; a horizontal extension brace havingone end configured for demountable engagement with the yoke on thecradle support leg, and the other end having a male insert extendingtherefrom for demountable engagement therewith the slide bed assembly; adouble-sided yoke slidingly engageable with the horizontal extensionbrace; and a pair of stabilizing legs configured for demountableengagement with the double-sided yoke, and a pair of foot pads providedtherefor.
 6. The transportable system of claim 1, configured to apply atorque force of between about 10,000 foot pounds and about 15,000 footpounds to the hydraulic cylinder piston-retaining nut.